There is a perception that the judiciary is favoring the NPP – Tsatsu Tsikata
An esteemed legal expert, Tsatsu Tsikata, has raised issues regarding the diminishing trust in Ghana’s judicial system.
According to a recent study by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, there has been a significant drop of approximately 30% in the perceived fairness of Ghana’s judiciary from 2017 to 2023. The report’s indicator evaluates judicial neutrality based on factors like court independence, judge autonomy, and judicial appointments.
After the report’s release, National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah cautioned that a perceived bias in the judiciary could have serious security implications. He noted that if people believe the judiciary is unfair, they may take matters into their own hands. Expressed in an interview with GHOne TV’s Serwaa Amihere, Tsatsu Tsikata raised concerns about the diminishing public trust in the judicial system.
He stressed that a loss of confidence in the judiciary also undermines faith in the legal profession, as judges are legal professionals themselves. This, in turn, affects the entire adjudication process practiced in court by lawyers. The senior legal practitioner highlighted the country’s potential repercussions, particularly in light of recent statements by the National Security Minister regarding judicial decisions perceived as favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He stated that while the perception may be put diplomatically, it is clear that a belief exists that the judiciary is showing bias towards the NPP. In a growing trend, ordinary citizens humorously refer to the judiciary as a “unanimous football club” making decisions in favor of one side.
This establishes a risky pattern in which individuals begin to distrust the legal system completely. He cautioned that this viewpoint could result in significant repercussions for the reliability of the judicial system.
